Ketu

The Dragon’s tail or Ketu has two arms. He possesses a crown on his head and is attired in black-clothes. The complexion of his body is smoke-like and he has a deformed face. In each of his two hands he holds a mace and the other hand is raised in the posture of giving boons and blessings. He is seated on a vulture which is also his vehicle.

‘Ketu’ is the headless trunk of the demon ‘Rahu’. After the killing of Rahu, when lord Vishnu severed his head by his sudarshan chakra. The head portion was called Rahu and his trunk was called Ketu. Both Rahu and Ketu became planets. According to the matsyapuran there are numerous Ketus out of which ‘Dhoomketu’ is the main.

According to the Indian astrology dragon’s tail is a shadow planet. It has a tremendous impact on human lives and also the whole creation. It’s area of influence is considered to be in the north-west direction. According to some scholars Ketu is Sombre and mild as compared to Rahu and is beneficial for a man. In some special circumstances it helps a man to achieve the zenith of fame. The shape of Ketu is considered to be of the shape of a fluttering flag. Its length is only six angul (six inches).

Although both Rahu and Ketu originated from the same body but after being transformed into the planets and considering it as their rebirth, new names of lineages were given to them. Rahu was considered to be of ‘Paithinas’ clan or lineage and Ketu was considered to be of ‘Jainini’ lineage. The complexion of Ketu is like a colour of the smoke. In some places there are mentions of pigeon as his vehicle.

The great phase of Dragon’s tail lasts for seven years. Rahu’s presiding dety is chitraketu. If there is a Ketu situated in an inauspicious house of a man’s horoscope then it causes inauspicious and misfortunes. The man gets inflicted with disease like leprosy itches and ringworm.